n twenty-seven days the 5th Division had covered 700 miles. It was now preparing to enter Germany. However, presently at Verdun, all forward advance was halted due to having run out of supplies. The Third Army's rapid drive across France had outrun their supply lines. A resupply of ammunition and especially gasoline for the vehicles was received on September 6, allowed the Third Army to continue its drive eastward. However, the lull in the activities during this short period, enabled the Germans to halt their flight, stop and prepare a strong defensive line on the east side of the Moselle River. The next twenty-five days were the worst for the Division in establishing a bridgehead across the Moselle.

 

The 11th RCT first made the attempt on 7 September, at Dornot, and after a short advance encountered 26 enemy counterattacks and suffered heavy casualties. It was necessary to withdraw from the beachhead. The attacking battalion, the second of the 11th Regiment, had lost 50% of it's force in the beachhead attempt.

 

The 10th Regiment made a crossing several miles south of the initial crossing, near Arnaville and joined by the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 11th spent five days overcoming the worst thrown at them by a fanatical enemy. The bridgehead was finally successful and secure by September 15 but the casualties were exceptionally high, 1400 of the Red Devils were killed or wounded in the Moselle bridgehead operation.

Amaville Bridgehead

September 10-16, 1944

In memory of the valiant American soldiers

of the 5th Infantry Division

At this location: 698 soldiers were wounded or killed

during the victorious crossing of the Moselle